FALFURRIAS, Texas - According to the U.S. Border Patrol, 39 undocumented immigrants were rescued from a locked trailer Thursday night after a tractor-trailer fled the Falfurrias Border Patrol Checkpoint and later caught fire.

Border Patrol said agents directed the driver to a secondary inspection after a K9 alerted to the trailer.

Instead, the driver allegedly fled the checkpoint, leading authorities on a pursuit along U.S. Highway 281. Texas Department of Public Safety troopers assisted in the pursuit and used a tire-deflation device to stop the vehicle.